Enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Heathrow Airport Ltd
Received a Heathrow Airport parking charge?
Heathrow Airport uses ANPR cameras at all terminal drop-off zones. A charge applies per visit, enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Heathrow Airport Ltd. Upload your notice for a free, honest check.
Is this a fine? Not in the criminal sense: the drop-off fee is a civil charge enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Heathrow Airport Ltd. If it is not paid by the deadline, it becomes a parking charge notice for a much larger amount.
- Current fee:
- See Heathrow's official page
- Pay by:
- Midnight the day after your visit
- Blue Badge:
- Yes. Valid UK/EEA Blue Badge holders can apply for a 100% discount
Details checked against the airport's official page on 17 August 2026
About to pay? Check first. It is free and takes minutes.
Honest assessment
Heathrow drop-off charges are generally harder to dispute than typical private parking charges because the signage is clear and the legal authority is well-established. However, ANPR errors, payment processing failures, and keeper-liability questions (whether POFA 2012 or airport byelaws apply) can still be valid grounds.
How to pay and avoid a Heathrow drop-off fine
- Check the current fee on the airport's official page before you travel. Fees change often.
- Pay by: Midnight the day after your visit.
- How to pay: Online, by phone on 0330 008 5600, or set up AutoPay. You cannot pay at a ticket machine or in the drop-off zone. (checked 28 September 2026)
- Picking someone up? No pick-ups or waiting are allowed in the drop-off areas. Pick up from Terminal Parking or a Park & Ride car park instead.
- Check the registration you enter matches your car exactly. A single wrong character can leave the fee unmatched.
- Keep your payment confirmation. It is your best evidence if a charge still arrives.
- Check the airport's own site for a free or cheaper drop-off option further from the terminal.
Common grounds found in Heathrow charges
These are the most common legal issues we identify. Upload your notice and we check all of them automatically.
- ANPR misread: wrong vehicle registration captured by camera
- Charged for driving through without stopping (camera triggered on approach)
- ANPR clock error: time recorded does not match actual entry/exit
- Payment made but not linked to the correct vehicle registration
- Wrong terminal zone identified by ANPR system
- Keeper liability: terminal forecourts may be covered by airport byelaws rather than POFA 2012, which changes whether and how the registered keeper can be pursued
How to challenge a Heathrow charge
- 1
Upload your charge notice
Take a photo or upload a PDF of your Heathrow Airport parking charge. Include both sides if it arrived by post.
- 2
We check the law
We check whether POFA 2012 or airport byelaws apply, the relevant Code of Practice, the ANPR record, and your own account of what happened.
- 3
Get your free assessment
You receive an honest assessment of your grounds, including whether the charge appears valid. If you have grounds, we draft your appeal letter for £9.99.
- 4
Appeal to Heathrow Airport Ltd (then POPLA if rejected by APCOA)
We identify the correct appeals route for your specific charge and provide a tailored response letter covering your grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Heathrow Airport parking charge legally enforceable?▼
It depends. Terminal drop-off zones are often on land covered by airport byelaws. If so, the keeper-liability rules in POFA 2012 may not apply, and the operator must rely on the byelaws or show who was driving. If the zone is ordinary private land, POFA applies and its Notice to Keeper rules must be met. ANPR accuracy and payment records matter either way. A free scan checks which applies to your notice.
What happens if I ignore a Heathrow charge?▼
It may be passed to a debt collector and, potentially, to a county court claim. Get a free scan first so you know whether to pay or challenge.
How long do I have to appeal a Heathrow Airport charge?▼
Usually 28 days from the date of the notice. Check your notice for the exact deadline: missing it reduces your options.
How do I pay the Heathrow Airport drop-off charge?▼
Online, by phone on 0330 008 5600, or set up AutoPay. You cannot pay at a ticket machine or in the drop-off zone. The deadline: midnight the day after your visit.
Is there a Heathrow Airport pick-up charge?▼
No pick-ups or waiting are allowed in the drop-off areas. Pick up from Terminal Parking or a Park & Ride car park instead.
Can the airport take me to court for a drop-off charge?▼
In theory, yes. If you receive a Letter Before Claim, you should respond within 30 days. We provide a Letter Before Claim response pack for that stage.
Check your Heathrow charge now, free
Honest assessment. We tell you if the charge appears valid. Pay only if you want the drafted appeal letter.
Start free scanLegal information only, not legal advice. For urgent matters, speak to a qualified adviser.
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